Malang – November 20, 2025 PWYP Indonesia served as one of the organizers of Extractive Transparency Day (ETD) 2025, alongside the National Secretariat of the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) Indonesia under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (KESDM). Held at the Faculty of Economics and Business at Brawijaya University in Malang, the event focused on “Strengthening Transparency, Accountability, and Law Enforcement in the Mineral and Coal Mining Sector in Implementing Community Empowerment Programs (PPM) for the People’s Welfare.” ETD serves as a vital platform for discussing critical issues in the extractive sector, where transparency is not just a tool for oversight but also the key to ensuring that the community truly benefits from natural resources (SDA).
As an organization that consistently advocates the “Publish What You Pay” principle, PWYP Indonesia views ETD as an opportunity to push for reforms in natural resource governance. The event was divided into two thematic policy dialogue sessions, attended by representatives from government, academia, companies, and civil society. Discussions highlighted challenges such as corporate non-compliance, environmental impacts, and the increasingly evident “resource curse” in Indonesia.
The event was opened by Dr. Abdul Ghofar, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Brawijaya University, who emphasized the importance of transparency in the extractive sector. He noted that although the mining sector generates trillions of dollars in global profits, 50% of the population in resource-rich countries still lives in extreme poverty. “Access to data isn’t just about permits; it’s also about ensuring community involvement in natural resource management,” he said, while pointing out the minimal trickle-down effects and the prevalence of illegal mining.
The keynote speech was delivered by Chrisnawan Anditya, Chair of the EITI Indonesia Secretariat, who highlighted challenges such as unequal benefits and high poverty rates in mining areas. “Community Empowerment Programs (PPM) must become the primary instrument for improving living standards, with fair regulations and the use of technology to enhance governance,” he stated. On behalf of KESDM, he expressed gratitude to all parties for their contributions to the event.
In the first session on PPM transparency, speakers from academia, government, companies, and civil society noted the still-weak correlation between empowerment programs and community welfare indicators. An evaluation of the 2020 Mining Law pointed out that PPM must be implemented through meaningful, sustainable, bottom-up participation. A successful example in Sorowako demonstrates that legal and community involvement is crucial for optimizing mining benefits. However, research in Central Halmahera revealed limited data and openness in PPM implementation, as well as the need for post-mining environmental restoration. Company representatives affirmed their commitment through transparent reporting and programs that employ local labor. In contrast, voices from local communities, such as Boenaga Village, demanded greater attention because environmental impacts are reshaping livelihoods.
On the other hand, the second session on law enforcement highlighted the challenges authorities face in monitoring and sanctioning non-compliant mining companies, particularly in addressing illegal mining that damages land and the environment. The Director of the Directorate General of Law Enforcement at KESDM outlined audit strategies and administrative sanctions. He emphasized the need for community empowerment to prevent illegal mining operations often run by behind-the-scenes actors. The National Strategy Team for Corruption Prevention added a focus on optimizing state revenues and strict oversight in mineral, coal, and oil and gas management.
Furthermore, PWYP Indonesia stated that corruption and inequality remain serious issues that hinder the broader benefits of natural resources for society. It proposed a moratorium on mining permits and stronger civil society engagement to prevent resource domination by elites and oligarchs. Students also called for increased access to information and dialogue spaces as democratic solutions to make mining policies more people-oriented.
Extractive Transparency Day 2025 reaffirmed a collective commitment to realizing transparent, accountable, and just natural resource governance. By involving all stakeholders, it is hoped that natural resource management can become a real source of welfare not just for a select few, but for all of Indonesian society.